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2025 Points of Interest Cruse-Narrated by Ann Garceau
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Wawasee “Points of Interest” Historical Cruise – May 17, 2025

🚤 Wawasee “Points of Interest” Historical Cruise – May 17, 2025

If you’ve ever wanted to step back in time while enjoying the beauty of Indiana’s largest natural lake, this is your chance. The Lake Wawasee historical cruise is back for 2025—an unforgettable two-hour event aboard the SS Lillypad II, brought to you by Chautauqua-Wawasee and the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum.

Local historian Ann Garceau will narrate the cruise, highlighting fascinating “Points of Interest” along the shoreline. Learn about the lake’s rich past as you float past sites of historic hotels, entertainment venues, marinas, and more. You’ll receive a map of the lake so you can follow along during the journey.

🎟️ Tickets:
This event sells out quickly, so don’t wait! Purchase your tickets in advance!

🗓️ Event Details:

  • Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025

  • Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Boarding begins at 12:45 PM)

  • Location: The Frog Tavern, 1116 S Harkless Drive, Syracuse, IN

  • Ticket Link: Click HERE to purchase

📍 What to Expect:

  • A narrated tour of historic and lesser-known spots around Lake Wawasee

  • Insight into past events, property owners, boat taxis, and restaurants

  • Snack food provided and a cash bar available onboard

  • A relaxing and educational afternoon on the lake

📞 Questions?
Contact Chautauqua-Wawasee:
Phone: 574-377-7543
Email: info@chautauquawawasee.org

Chautauqua-Wawasee is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to offering quality programming centered on Arts, Education, Faith, and Recreation—enhancing life in Syracuse and the surrounding region.

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Wawasee Walk Down Memory Lane Project

Chautauqua Wawasee regularly teams with the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum to provide programs focused on local (Syracuse-area) history, typically related to archaeology, Native American artifacts, and people. Feedback Forms are provided at these events so we can receive feedback on program quality, speaker quality, etc. including requests for desired future programs. Our most frequent request is to provide More Programs on Local History. This is what prompted the Wawasee Walk Down Memory Lane project.

The 2023 program will attract an audience to view three historic videos:

1. A 1937 video of someone cruising in a boat videotaping the Wawasee shoreline and lakefront cottages as they cruise
2. A promotional video for the Spink Wawasee Hotel (built in 1926, closed in 1947)
3. A 1957 video of the Chinese Gardens and cottage on Wawasee

After the showing, attendees will be invited to share their memories via an Open Microphone; these will be recorded and limited to 5 minutes at this venue, but invited for a longer session at the Syracuse-Wawasee Historic Museum to record the individual’s memories as oral history. The event’s promotion will discuss the need for additional “home movies” that might be stored in attics, closets, basements, etc. This will be requested at the event too, with the hope that more historic video material will emerge. The Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum will borrow (take temporary possession) to process materials that emerge. With the owner’s signed approval, local home movies would be digitized and made available for public showing at phase two 2024 event.

WHEN: July 22, 2:00 – 3:30
WHERE: Syracuse Community Center

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Oakwood Wawasee Fine Arts Festival 2022

Seeking Artists for the 2022 Wawasee Oakwood Fine Arts Festival!

If you have juried art we are adding a select few new artists in 2022.  This expands the number of artists from 30 to 35.  The Festival is in a park setting, attended by families. Attendees and artists appreciate the intimate size of this annual show…and come back year after year.

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